TECH News: Weekly Round Up

Goodbye to a Classic

Bad news for road warriors who still swear by their trusty Blackberry handsets.  This week the Canadian firm confirmed they will no longer be manufacturing the Classic range of their hugely successful smartphone.

In an announcement on the INSIDE Blackberry blog, Ralph Pini COO & GM for devices at Blackberry explains the reasons behind this decision.

“When I took on the role as the GM for Devices, I spoke about three critical elements for the success of our devices business. First was expanding choice for customers. Second was leveraging our unmatched experience and capabilities in security. Third was building on the BlackBerry pedigree”.

Reaffirming their commitment to both BB10 and Android OS handsets, the choice to drop the Classic model is to make way for new “state of the art” devices.

If, for now, you are still using a Classic fear not. BB1o software will continue to be supported and version 10.3.3 for the current Classic will be released next month with a further update in 2017.

Amazon Prime Day

If you’re in the market for any piece of tech right now, it might be wise to hold fire and see if it comes up at Amazon this 12th July.

First launched last year to mark the shopping giants 20th anniversary, Prime Day returns this year with promises of bigger savings or more branded products. Last years event was big in terms of sales but many of the products were Amazon branded products.

“Prime Day is a one-day only global shopping event exclusively for Prime members. This year Prime Day will be on Tuesday, 12th July and will be the biggest global Amazon event ever. Members in the U.K. can shop starting at midnight (BST) with new deals starting as often as every five minutes.

With thousands of deals in the U.K. exclusively for Prime members, across nearly all departments and product categories, there will be something for everyone”.

You do need to be a signed up member of their Prime service, but you can take advantage of their 30 days free trial.  Just remember to cancel before the end or you will automatically charged for a years service.

Next Time you Complain about a Take Off!

Finally this week a video was shared on Boeings YouTube Channel  which should keep the AVgeeks among us happy.

The short clip was produced by Boeing and All Nippon Airways (ANA) showing off the 787 “Dreamliner” in all it’s glory.  Filmed over Washington State, it is reported this was a practice run for the 787 display due at the Farnborough Airshow which starts on the 15th July.

Although it is an empty/light aircraft being used, it should help some of the nervous fliers appreciate the tolerances modern aircraft can work under.  Not to sure I would be happy with that near vertical take off!

You can watch the clip on YouTube.